By Ryan - Posted on June 25, 2009

Kasey Kahne shared Napa Valley wine with his boss, the King, in Victory Lane at Sonoma according to NASCAR News sources.  The win was Kahne’s first on a road course, as well as Kahne’s first time in the winner’s circle in 37 attempts. 

A very promising rookie in 2004, bad luck seemed to follow him when it took a year to mark his first victory after perpetually finishing second.  He broke into the big time in Richmond, with his first career win in 2005, and has racked up 9 wins since.  He’s been an annual contender for the Sprint Cup, but lately he has been in a slump.

Still green enough on the track to be in awe of wins, Kahne said, “Gosh, we had to hold [Tony Stewart] off for a while. We won a road-course race! Oh, my God, I can't believe this.”  His crew chief, Kenny Francis commented, “Awesome – not too bad for a dirt-tracker from Washington!”

And as long as Kahne has had to wait for this win, it has been longer for his new boss, Richard Petty.  Part of Kahne’s slump can certainly be credited to the financial problems of Dodge Motorsports.  During the off season, a merger with Petty Enterprises and Gillett Evernham Motorsports formed a company called Richard Petty Motorsports.  That merger, combined with Kahne’s talent, led to Petty’s first trip to victory lane since 1999, when John Andretti piloted the #43 to victory at Martinsville Speedway. 

The win puts Kahne on the outside looking in again at 13th in the point standings with 10 races until the “chase” cutoff.  That didn’t matter Sunday for the young gun and King Richard.  With their main engine sponsor, Chrysler in Chapter 11, they will take any joy they can get right now, and Kasey certainly provided it Sunday.